A compound is provided of Formula (I), wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbon group derived from an alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, from a formate of formula R.sup.1OCH═O, or a cinnamyl aldehyde of Formula (II) wherein a compound of Formula I is capable of releasing a compound, when oxidized, selected from the group consisting of a fragrant alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, a fragrant formate ester of formula R.sup.1OCH=0 and aryl aldehyde of Formula (III), wherein R.sup.2 is, independently, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkoxy group, or -0(C=0)CH(CH3).sub.2 wherein any two of R.sup.2 may form an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered ring. The compounds are useful for example as a precursor for the prolonged delivery or release of fragrant compounds such as fragrant alcohols, fragrant aldehydes or fragrant formates. ##STR00001##

A compound is provided of Formula (I), wherein R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbon group derived from an alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, from a formate of formula R.sup.1OCH═O, or a cinnamyl aldehyde of Formula (II) wherein a compound of Formula I is capable of releasing a compound, when oxidized, selected from the group consisting of a fragrant alcohol of formula R.sup.1OH, a fragrant formate ester of formula R.sup.1OCH=0 and aryl aldehyde of Formula (III), wherein R.sup.2 is, independently, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkoxy group, or -0(C=0)CH(CH3).sub.2 wherein any two of R.sup.2 may form an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered ring. The compounds are useful for example as a precursor for the prolonged delivery or release of fragrant compounds such as fragrant alcohols, fragrant aldehydes or fragrant formates. ##STR00001##

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and system for converting ethanol to para-xylene. The method also provides a pathway to produce terephthalic acid from biomass-based feedstocks. In some embodiments, the disclosed method produces p-xylene with high selectivity over other aromatics typically produced in the conversion of ethanol to xylenes, such as m-xylene, ethyl benzene, benzene, toluene, and the like. And, in some embodiments, the method facilitates the ability to use ortho/para mixtures of methylbenzyaldehyde for preparing ortho/para xylene product mixtures that are amendable to fractionation to separate the para- and ortho-xylene products thereby providing a pure feedstock of para-xylene that can be used to form terephthalic anhydride and a pure feedstock of ortho-xylene that can be used for other purposes, such as phthalic anhydride.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method and system for converting ethanol to para-xylene. The method also provides a pathway to produce terephthalic acid from biomass-based feedstocks. In some embodiments, the disclosed method produces p-xylene with high selectivity over other aromatics typically produced in the conversion of ethanol to xylenes, such as m-xylene, ethyl benzene, benzene, toluene, and the like. And, in some embodiments, the method facilitates the ability to use ortho/para mixtures of methylbenzyaldehyde for preparing ortho/para xylene product mixtures that are amendable to fractionation to separate the para- and ortho-xylene products thereby providing a pure feedstock of para-xylene that can be used to form terephthalic anhydride and a pure feedstock of ortho-xylene that can be used for other purposes, such as phthalic anhydride.

A catalyst includes a carrier, and a metal obtained by reducing a metal ion supported on the carrier 1) in a supercritical state or 2) in a polar organic solvent, wherein the carrier is an inorganic porous body having a hierarchical porous structure. By employing the catalyst, it is possible to exhibit better catalytic activity than a conventional catalyst. Heat generation and spontaneous ignition are prevented because no organic porous body is used.

A catalyst includes a carrier, and a metal obtained by reducing a metal ion supported on the carrier 1) in a supercritical state or 2) in a polar organic solvent, wherein the carrier is an inorganic porous body having a hierarchical porous structure. By employing the catalyst, it is possible to exhibit better catalytic activity than a conventional catalyst. Heat generation and spontaneous ignition are prevented because no organic porous body is used.

Zwitterion ligand metal complexes and methods of aerobic oxidation using a zwitterion ligand metal complex are provided. The zwitterion ligand metal complexes can include a transition metal salt and a zwitterion ligand, which can comprise a non-conjugated amide anion-phosphonium cation, an amide anion-ammonium cation, or an iminium cation. The methods of aerobic oxidation can include combining the zwitterion ligand metal complex with an oxidizable compound and molecular oxygen to allow the isolation of an oxidized compound from the oxidizable compound.

Zwitterion ligand metal complexes and methods of aerobic oxidation using a zwitterion ligand metal complex are provided. The zwitterion ligand metal complexes can include a transition metal salt and a zwitterion ligand, which can comprise a non-conjugated amide anion-phosphonium cation, an amide anion-ammonium cation, or an iminium cation. The methods of aerobic oxidation can include combining the zwitterion ligand metal complex with an oxidizable compound and molecular oxygen to allow the isolation of an oxidized compound from the oxidizable compound.

Zwitterion ligand metal complexes and methods of aerobic oxidation using a zwitterion ligand metal complex are provided. The zwitterion ligand metal complexes can include a transition metal salt and a zwitterion ligand, which can comprise a non-conjugated amide anion-phosphonium cation, an amide anion-ammonium cation, or an iminium cation. The methods of aerobic oxidation can include combining the zwitterion ligand metal complex with an oxidizable compound and molecular oxygen to allow the isolation of an oxidized compound from the oxidizable compound.

Zwitterion ligand metal complexes and methods of aerobic oxidation using a zwitterion ligand metal complex are provided. The zwitterion ligand metal complexes can include a transition metal salt and a zwitterion ligand, which can comprise a non-conjugated amide anion-phosphonium cation, an amide anion-ammonium cation, or an iminium cation. The methods of aerobic oxidation can include combining the zwitterion ligand metal complex with an oxidizable compound and molecular oxygen to allow the isolation of an oxidized compound from the oxidizable compound.